Confusing food labels are driving Australians to throw away perfectly edible food, according to new research, costing households money and contributing to the nation’s food waste problem.
The study from RMIT University and End Food Waste Australia reveals that clearer, more consistent date labels and storage advice with related bigger print and simple icons, could drastically reduce the amount of edible food Aussies throw away.
Each year, Australians waste 7.6 million tonnes of food, much of it still safe to eat. The study shows poor label design and inconsistent packaging are key reasons consumers throw out food, which can cost the average household up to $2500 annually.
“Shoppers don’t want to waste food or money. They’re being let down by labels that don’t give them the information they need to make the right call,” says RMIT Associate Professor Lukas Parker, lead author of the study.
“Australian shoppers deserve better than this. It’s time for a consistent, clear system that helps people make smarter choices, saves money and keeps good food out of the bin.”
Despite consumers wanting label changes, food industry stakeholders cited concerns around cost, compliance and regulatory complexity.
The gap between consumer needs and system readiness is a major barrier to progress, with End Food Waste Australia CEO Tristan Butt emphasising that cutting food waste through smarter labels will only happen if government, retailers and food producers work together.
“Clear, consistent date labelling is one of the most cost-effective and scalable ways to reduce household food waste, but it won’t happen without industry-wide collaboration,” he says.
“This single change could prevent nearly a million tonnes of food waste by 2030.”
“UK’s retail sector has already proven this change is possible, without compromising food safety, it’s time we did the same.”
The next phase of the National Date Labelling and Storage Advice Project will bring together supermarkets, food brands and government to co-design, test and roll out a national framework for date labelling and storage advice.
